Talk to Her

Apparently, it’s physically and emotionally impossible for me to not watch Before Sunrise when it is on IFC. I’m trying to figure out what is so appealing about this movie…

I guess it is because it is without any kind of high concept or action. It is a story about two people getting to now each other intimately and quickly, mostly through the power of conversation. Trains ridden, questions asked and answered, anecdotes laughed about, fortunes told, spontaneous poetry recited. There is no gradual wading through small talk. There is an inherent trust between these two people that any feeling can and should be expressed. Memories are precious and should be shared with someone who will appreciate them. Not only are they asking each other questions, but they are really listening to the answers. I understand that this is a scripted production choreographed to be a romantic juggernaut, but it never fails to suck me in every time.

“If there’s any kind of magic in this world, it must be in the attempt to understanding someone, sharing something. I know. It’s almost impossible to succeed, but, who cares really? The answer must be in the attempt.”